Joe Gomez: I’m Not At The Top Level Yet

Liverpool’s young center back feels he can still improve, despite impressing so far this season.

Although the front three haven’t quite hit their stride yet (and, given the recent spate of injuries, well, let’s not think about that), the defense has been uncharacteristically fantastic to open the season. While newboys Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker earn most of the plaudits, Joe Gomez has been an integral part of Liverpool’s new-found defensive steel.

The 21-year-old center back came through the international break as possibly the only Red not to be injured, and is looking forward to continuing to prove himself at the highest levels this season.

“I don’t feel like I’m at the top level, I need to keep pushing and learning and hopefully be in that category, among the best,” Gomez told England’s FA website. “Being at Liverpool helps me with that, because you’ve got to be at that standard and if you aren’t then you won’t play.

On injuries, which again—thankfully—Gomez didn’t sustain this time around (touch wood, fingers crossed, salt over the shoulder, etc), he spoke about his struggles in recent seasons and how he wants to cease his chance.

“It’s no secret that I’ve had setbacks in the last few years, but I’ve done my best to try and bounce back from them and make things right.

“And it’s all behind me now so I just want to keep my head down, stay on top of things and I just want to keep going, keep learning and progressing at the same time.”

Good stuff. With Dejan Lovren coming back into the picture, and Van Dijk attempting to play through the rib injury, Gomez might not have as much playing time as he did early on in the season. However, he’s shown outstanding consistency at the back, and has certainly given Kloppo something to think about when making his matchday selections.

Gomez will certainly be in the running for a start when Premier League action resumes on Saturday.*

*If Liverpool have enough healthy players to field a starting XI by then.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com